Acton's Bradley Kri was introduced as the Toronto Rock's top pick at the National Lacrosse League's 2012 Draft on Monday at a hotel in Toronto. Pictured with Kri are Rock GM Terry Sanderson (left) and head coach Troy Cordingley.

Kri a piece of the Rock

Ever since he was old enough to remember, Acton’s Bradley Kri has been a big supporter of the National Lacrosse League’s Toronto Rock.

On Monday, the 20-year-old defender heard his name called by the Rock in the second round (14th overall) of the NLL Draft held at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle.

“I grew up on the other side of the window (in Air Canada Centre) and now that I’m going to be on the other side it’s awesome,” said Kri, who was the first player selected by the Rock since the club didn’t have a first-round pick.

At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, Kri has both the physical makeup and winning resume´ to play professional lacrosse, although Rock general manager Terry Sanderson isn’t going to rush his development.

“I had a number of opportunities to watch Brad play this summer in Orangeville,” said Sanderson.

“He’s got another year of Junior A eligibility. We’ll be patient with him and he’s still got a lot of time to develop into a regular in the NLL.”

After three years with the Halton Hills Jr. B Bulldogs, which included a Founders Cup Canadian title in 2010 and the OJBLL East Conference Defender of the Year honour in 2011, Kri moved up to the Orangeville Jr. A Northmen this past season.

He collected two goals and three assists in 20 games during the regular season, then stepped up in the playoffs, helping the Northmen win the Minto Cup national Jr. A championship in Whitby in late August.

Kri is currently playing Jr. B hockey in Niagara Falls, scoring twice, assisting on eight others and picking up 43 penalty minutes in nine games as a blueliner for the Canucks.

Other former Bulldogs selected in Monday’s NLL Draft included high-scoring forward Mike Burke of Brampton, who went to the Edmonton Rush in the third round, and Kitchener’s Chad Cummings, taken by the Calgary Roughnecks in the fourth round.